Minor Developments Profile – Slava Voynov

Defenseman Slava Voynov is currently playing for the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League. Here is a closer look at the 22-year-old native of Russia…

Right Now – Voynov has appeared in all 14 games for the Manchester Monarchs this season compiling three goals and five assists for eight points and 14 penalty minutes. The defenseman’s eight points rank third on the team and he leads all Monarchs blueliners. The Monarchs currently rank second in the Atlantic Division and are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points and a record of 7-6-0-1.

Last Year – Voynov split the 2011-12 season between the Kings and the Monarchs. It marked his first NHL action as he saw action in 54 regular season contests for Los Angeles. He also played in 15 games with Manchester during the regular season as he recorded four points (2-2=4) and four penalty minutes. Overall he was recalled by the Kings on three different occasions.

By The Numbers – With the Kings last year, Voynov recorded the first 20 points of his young NHL career. He scored eight goals while also recording 12 penalty minutes. Among all NHL rookie defensemen he ranked tied for first in goals, tied for seventh in assists, third in points, tied for first in plus-minus (+12), tied for first in GWG (two), second in shots (86), ninth in TOI/gm (18:32), second in PPG (three), tied for eighth in PPA (three), tied for fourth in PPP (six) and ninth in hits (74).

Playoffs – Voynov last year was a valuable contributor during the Kings’ historic playoff run. He played in all 20 postseason games and he scored his first career playoff goal (April 28 at St. Louis).

A Closer Look – Voynov is a right shot. He is regarded as a well-rounded defenseman who is solid both defensively and offensively. He moves the puck well, has the ability to bring the puck up the ice and he has a good shot. He is also strong on his feet and he wins a lot of puck battles. Going forward it is about Voynov continuing to garner experience while looking to take his game to the next level. He can continue to get better overall while specifically adding more to his offensive game.

A Look Back – Voynov joined the Kings when the club selected him in the second-round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to coming to North America he played two seasons in the Russian Super League with Chelyabinsk. Kings officials were impressed by his willingness to come overseas and his commitment to play in North America at such a young age. In 2009-10 he played in as many as 79 games for Manchester and in 2010-11 he was a Second-Team AHL All-Star as he accumulated 51 points.

Hometown – Slava is from Chelyabinsk, Russia. That town has also produced Sergei Gonchar, Andrei Nazarov and Stanislav Chistov, who have all enjoyed success in the NHL. The industrial town has about one million residents and it just east of the Ural Mountains near the border of Europe and Asia.

Day With The Cup – Slava enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup on the evening of July 3 and the morning of July 4. He was the first Kings player to receive the Cup and upon meeting the Cup at the airport he took it to a public event in a town square. From there he enjoyed a private party for family and friends at a restaurant. In the morning he took it to a local ice rink where he signed autographs while fans took their photo with Lord Stanley. It then left for Moscow where teammate Andrei Loktionov enjoyed it for 24 hours in his hometown of Voskresensk, Russia.

Note: Jim Fox recently posted a lengthy and informative interview that features two of Voynov’s teammates in Manchester -- Dwight King and Jordan Nolan. Read that multi-part interview at www.LAKingsInsider.com.